When we get to the river, Mackey and Turner jump out of the car, and Mackey poops on the ground – first thing – before we’re a leash length away from the car. I perform my civic duty and throw it in the dumpster. Tuesday we were down there with our friends Andrew and Drew and their dog Kosar, and I went to throw the bag in the dumpster at Pony Pasture at 2:00 PM and that face was looking up at me. It didn’t look concerned, but we didn’t think it could get out. So we put a stick in there for it to climb up. We also let the park management know. When returned from our hike a couple of hours later, the grass was cut and the raccoon was gone.

There’s going to be a swimming water snake picture further down – snake-o-phobes, be forewarned.

And this is a quick and dirty post – more quick than dirty – because I’m late. I got red-tails yesterday and Monday, both near here, no great pictures, but I’ll post one.

This was the moon at 5:45 on the morning we saw the raccoon. It was a “waning crescent” moon, four days before it vanishes completely and becomes a new moon:

Waning crescent moon early Tuesday morning

Here’s a deer on the same day – not a brilliant shot – but we had a lot of dogs, including a new one (Kosar):

1 deer in the center, another a bit less visible to the right

I also saw a Luna moth this week – although on Friday – at Starbucks. This one was alive, but not for much longer I’m afraid:

Luna moth near Starbucks Friday:

A picture of Dash from today in his jungle lair:

Dash, Lord of the Jungle

Almost left out a Red-tail from this week. This is Monday afternoon at 2:40 near Freeman HS:

Red-tail on the powerline at Freeman High School

Also I nearly left out the snake picture. It’s not great quality but it’s cool to see an actual Northern Water Snake swimming. Drew pointed it out or I would have missed it completely. Thanks Drew!:

Northern Water Snake swimming at Pony Pasture. Thanks Drew!

Almost forgot – I got a very small toad today at the river. I regret not adding anything for scale but it was moving quick. It was about half an inch long, possibly less:

Petite toad from Pony Pasture this morning

Maybe more next week – I never know – have a great week! All best,

Jay

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About Jay McLaughlin

I am a rehabilitation counselor. I have many friends with autism and traumatic brain injuries. They help me learn new things constantly. I hike with dogs at the James River in Richmond - a lot. I've completed an Iron distance triathlon a year for 11 years. My most recent was in Wilmington, NC in November, 2013. I currently compete in mid-distance triathlons. And work and hike and take pictures and write and eat.